While thinking about where I wanted this story to go, I couldn't help but think about others that I have read. That being said, I will try to write this story in such a way that it is my story and no one else's. I can't say when I'm writing that I won't allow myself to be influenced by other's but I will do my best not to make it so it seems like I'm just ripping off someone else's story. At any time if you think that this story is becoming too much like something you have already read, let me know so I can work on changing that.
Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail or it's characters, Hiro Mashima does.
Waking up to the sunlight blinding his eyes, Natsu grumbled out, "Just wait one day I'll eat you sun and then we'll see who's really the boss."
Picking himself up off of the ground, Natsu began to stretch out his body resulting in numerous pops being heard, shaking his head to get rid of the last of his sleepiness, Natsu looked around the cave and quickly noticed two things; one was the distinct lack of a large, red dragon and the other was a white, scaly scarf lying on the ground near him.
Reaching for the scarf and putting it around his neck, Natsu instantly felt a comforting warmth that reminded him of Igneel. Taking a sniff of his new scarf, Natsu figured it must have been made from some of Igneel's scales as it even smelt like him, campfire with a hint of cinnamon.
Taking one last look at what had been his lifelong home, Natsu exhaled a sharp burst of air from his mouth and shook his head.
"I know that he always told me he would have to leave but I just didn't want to believe it", Natsu chuckled without mirth.
Shaking his head and wiping the tears that had begun to form in his eyes, Natsu began to steel himself for what he knew he had to do.
"No, I knew this would happen and Igneel prepared me for it. All I can do now is do what he wanted and go out and see the world while becoming stronger. If I happen to become strong enough to kick his butt for leaving me when I find him, then so be it", Natsu said this time with the sadness in his voice gone.
Walking himself to the entrance of the cave, Natsu began to make his way through the forest on the start of his new journey.
Shoving his way through the branches of what seemed like a never-ending forest, Natsu cursed himself for getting lost. 'Then again, I can't really get lost if I don't know where I'm going', he thought to himself.
Finally making his way out of the forest, Natsu started to head in the direction of a river he could hear.
As he made his way through the grassy clearing towards the river, Natsu suddenly stopped. Sitting on a large rock overlooking the river was a girl. Seeing another human for the first time in his life was a shocking experience for him, especially out here in the middle of the wilderness, but what really shocked him was what he could smell. This girl smelled like dragon. It didn't smell like Igneel did, instead she smelled more like a flowery, spring breeze, but the smell of dragon was still there.
After taking a few more steps towards the girl, she was finally able to sense Natsu's presence and turned towards him with a stunned look on her face.
"Who are you? Why do you smell like that?", the girl said somewhat frantically as if she was both frightened of Natsu but at the same time excited.
Bringing his hands up in a placating gesture, Natsu finally stopped his advancement and stood several yards away from the mystery girl.
"To answer your questions, my name is Natsu Dragneel and I smell like this for the same reason you do; I'm a dragon slayer", Natsu said with a toothy smile.
Hearing this, the girl's face lit up and she excitedly asked," Did your dragon leave you? Do you know where they went? What type of magic can you use?"
Seeing how much her demeanor had changed in such a short time made Natsu laugh.
"Woah, slow down, I'll answer all of your questions, don't worry. But first you need to answer one for me. What is your name?", said a grinning Natsu.
Taking a look at the girl who had begun to blush slightly in embarrassment, Natsu took in her appearance for the first time.
The girl seemed to be about a year or two younger than Natsu and about a head shorter too. Like Natsu she had a unique hair color, dark blue, which was styled in two long ponytails that trailed midway down her back.
Looking down at her, Natsu something that made him smile. Lifting his foot up off the ground, he wiggled his toes at the girl.
"Dragons might be super strong, but it seems like they can't make shoes at all huh. I suppose that's what those tiny elves are for though aren't they? Keeblers? Cobblers? Oh, well you know what I mean."
Stunned and a little confused at what the pink haired boy was talking about the blue haired girl looked down and saw not only his dirty feet but hers as well.
"Eek…don't look", the now embarrassed girl said.
"What? It's just a little dirt, it's not like its gonna hurt. Unless wait… are you a dirt dragon slayer?", Natsu asked slowly starting to inch his way away from the bluenette.
Hearing this, the expression on the girl's face darkened, shadowing her eyes. Natsu also noticed that the air around the girl seemed to come alive as if the wind itself was upset.
Natsu was now glad that he had decided to take a step back.
"How dare you! You dare compare the magic Grandeeney taught me to dirt!", yelled out the girl angrily, looking ready to lunge at Natsu and attack him.
"Woah, settle down, Grandeeney huh? So that was the name of your dragon?", Natsu asked once again holding his hands up in a pacifying manner.
Seeming to visibly relax at hearing the question, the winds dying down a testament to this, the girl replied, "Yes, Grandeeney was the one who taught me my magic."
"And that would be…something to do with air, right?"
"It's actually sky dragon slayer magic but it does use the winds. Also, to answer your question from before, my name is Wendy Marvell."
"Well, nice to meet you Wendy."
"Yes, nice to meet you too. I feel like I should apologize though", The now named Wendy's face seemed to once again grow red with embarrassment. "I may have overreacted with almost attacking you. It's just when I thought I heard you insult Grandeeney, I was furious."
"Don't worry about it. I get it, I'd do the same if someone insulted Igneel. Heck, Igneel would probably tell me to do it for in his words, insulting the great and powerful Igneel", Natsu stated with using air quotes to finish off his statement. "Which I don't get, you'd think for being a king, a guy would have better things to worry about than being called names. I mean I do it to the overgrown lizard all the time."
"Well, I think it might be different having your son insult you than some random person, wait… did you say king?", Wendy now said with a now fearful look.
"Uh, yeah, why?", Natsu asked confused at why once again Wendy was acting funny.
"My apologies my prince, I didn't mean to offend you", Wendy said as she was making her way to a kneeling position on the ground with her head facing downwards.
"Uh, please stop being weird", Natsu said rubbing the back of his head awkwardly.
"But you're a prince", Wendy said confused and a little frightened.
"Look to be honest I'm not sure how this is supposed to go. I mean yeah, I'm technically a prince but who cares? In dragon culture, it's more symbolic than anything. Also, not to be rude, but you don't even really know me, so you shouldn't just offer yourself to me. You don't even know what type of slayer I am yet", Natsu stated.
"But you're a prince", Wendy once again said. "It's my job to help and assist you in any way if need be."
Rubbing the bridge of his nose and exhaling sharply, Natsu began to speak," See this what I mean. You just offered your help to me without a thought. You seem really nice, but I don't know you and you don't know me. What if I had been a horrible person and you just agreed to help me with anything? I get that you're scared, because believe me I am too, and as soon as you found out I was a dragon slayer you felt like this was your chance to find some answers. I get that, I really do. Everything won't always work out so nicely though. I don't know what you were taught, but Igneel taught me that just like how there are good humans and bad humans, the same could be said for dragons, which would include their slayers. Not all dragons even like humans, most would try to kill them as soon as they saw them. Which I guess would mean they probably wouldn't train a slayer, but oh… what I'm trying to say is don't just trust everyone you meet right away. Use your senses and trust your gut instincts.", Natsu finished up with a small smile.
"But what if my gut is telling me to trust you and that you are a good person?"
"Well, I'm glad because mine is telling me the same about you Wendy. So how about we start over?", Natsu said extending his hand out to Wendy. "Hi, I'm Natsu Dragneel, son of The Fire Dragon King Igneel."
Looking between Natsu's smiling face and his outstretched hand, Wendy too began to smile and shook his hand.
"My name is Wendy Marvell, daughter of the Sky Dragon Grandeeney."
"Now that we have that done, I'm guessing it's safe to assume your dragon is also missing Wendy?"
"Yes, a few days ago I woke up and Grandeeney was gone. I waited until the next day, but she was still gone", Wendy said beginning to tear up.
"Hey, hey, don't cry", Natsu said bringing Wendy into a hug. "We were raised by dragons, some of the strongest beings to ever live, we're tougher than you think…you're tougher than you think."
Hearing his heartfelt words and being in his warm, soothing embrace made Wendy feel loved like she was back with Grandeeney. "Warm…", she murmured.
"What was that Wendy?", Natsu asked.
"Nothing" stammered a crimson cheeked Wendy. Getting her blush back under control, Wendy asked Natsu the question that had been on her mind for days. "Why did they leave us Natsu?"
Breaking apart from their hug, Natsu stepped back to look at Wendy.
"That I don't know." Taking a deep breath, he continued, "Years ago Igneel told me that he would eventually have to leave, but I always hoped if I trained just a little bit harder than he would change his mind. He said that he was doing if for my own good and that I wouldn't understand until later. I still don't understand and maybe I'm not supposed to yet, but you know what? At least one good thing came out from Igneel leaving."
"What? What could be good from them leaving?", cried out Wendy.
"You Wendy, you were the good that came out of it", Natsu chuckled smiling.
At this Wendy blinked owlishly.
"Me? I was the good thing?"
"As bad as it sounds, without our dragons leaving I never would have met you Wendy."
Wendy was taken aback at what Natsu had just said.
"Do you really mean that?"
"Of course, Wendy, why would I lie about something as serious as our dragons leaving?"
"Then…", taking a deep breath Wendy once again got down on her knees. "I humbly request to join your court my prince."
Looking down at her, Natsu said the one thing she hoped he wouldn't, "No."
Shocked and heartbroken that Natsu would deny her, Wendy's mind was racing trying to think how to get Natsu to change his mind.
"I won't let you join my court as that sounds too demeaning to me. Like I don't appreciate you and am just using you."
Hearing this Wendy looked up at Natsu, once again shocked but for a different reason.
"If it's alright with you, I'd like you to become my friend though, and maybe even part of my clan", Natsu shyly said rubbing the back of neck nervously.
Looking at Natsu with tears in her eyes, all Wendy could get out was, "Really?".
"I mean I know we just met, but I already consider you my friend, my first friend actually, and I just thought that sounded better than becoming part of my court and… oh I'm rambling aren't I?", Natsu said.
"No, it's fine", Wendy said now with tears running down her face.
"Oh geeze, Igneel didn't teach me about crying girls, he just said not to do it if I valued my life." Natsu gulped and then knelt down and wrapped Wendy up in a hug giving her small pats on the back. "There, there it's alright Wendy, you don't have to be my friend if you don't want to", Natsu said now starting to freak out a little.
"No, it's not that", Wendy said. "I was so worried that you didn't want me around when you said I couldn't be a part of your court. Even though I just met you I was already scared that you'd leave me like Grandeeney, and I'd be all alone again. But instead you want me to be your friend and part of your clan", Wendy said with a smile breaking through her tears.
"Well, maybe I could have worded it better", Natsu grimaced. "So, what do you say Wendy, will you be my friend and join me?"
Wiping the tears from her face, Wendy smiled at Natsu. "Yes, but on one condition."
"Anything, name it", Natsu replied instantly.
"If I'm going to be your first friend, then will you be mine as well?", Wendy asked shyly toughing her pointer fingers together,
"I think that could be arranged", laughed Natsu with a beaming smile.
It was the day after Natsu and Wendy had met and they were still making their way through what seemed like an endless forest. Over the past day, they had talked about their childhood's growing up with their dragons. To Natsu's surprise, Wendy could not only use her dragon slaying magic but healing magic as well.
"It's not as strong as my dragon slayer magic since I couldn't really train with it besides just expanding my magical power", Wendy said to Natsu.
"Well, if you think about it, maybe it's a good thing you haven't needed to ever really use your healing magic since that means someone would have been seriously injured", Natsu replied.
"You're right Natsu!", said Wendy happily. "I never thought about it like that."
Suddenly Natsu stopped walking and a serious look came over his face.
Confused, Wendy also stopped, "What is it?"
"Can't you smell it?".
Taking a deep sniff of the air, Wendy just shook her head. "Your senses must be stronger than mine, all I can smell is the forest. What is it?".
"Blood… I smell blood", Natsu said. "Wendy, you may be using that healing magic of yours sooner than we thought, so be ready."
That being said, Natsu took off in the direction he could smell the blood coming from. Not wanting to be left behind and also understanding the severity of the situation, Wendy soon followed after him.
Natsu didn't know how long he had run for, but he started to slow down as he noticed the scent was getting stronger meaning he was getting closer to whoever was injured. Looking around him he could see signs that someone had been through here and in a hurry. There were broken branches and flattened grasses trailing haphazardly through the forest. Natsu's breath hitched when he saw a small, bloody handprint left on one of the trees.
At this time Wendy had caught up to Natsu breathing heavily. She had tried to keep up with Natsu, but she couldn't match the speed he was moving at.
"Stay close to me Wendy, I can only smell one person but there could be more, it's hard to tell with how strong the smell of blood is. Be on guard, who knows what state they'll be in and there's a good chance they might attack us thinking we're the ones who did this to them."
Inching forward, they made their way towards a large boulder where they both could tell the injured person was hiding behind.
Coming up on the boulder, Natsu thought it would be best to alert this person that they were there and stepped on a stick.
CRACK!
Both Natsu and Wendy heard someone sharply inhale and frantically start trying to crawl away.
"I'm not sure who you are but my friend and I aren't here to hurt you", called out Natsu. "My friend here knows a little bit of healing magic and if you'd let her, we'd like to try to help you as best we can."
Knowing that is was time for her to step up, Wendy called out to the person, "We're going to walk up to you now, so please don't be scared."
Slowly making their way to the backside of the rock, they finally laid eyes on the person whose scent they had been tracking.
She seemed to be around the same age as both Natsu and Wendy. In her short, bright green hair she seemed to be wearing a headband that had two purple crosses sticking out from it. But what stuck out to them both about her, was her pale, sickly looking skin and her purple shirt that seemed to be turning black over her stomach from blood.
Looking up at them with wide, frightened eyes, the girl slowly tried to scoot herself away from them but soon stopped when a bolt of pain shot through her abdomen.
Holding his hands up in what he hoped was a soothing manner, Natsu spoke out to the girl, "My name is Natsu and this is Wendy, do you think she could try to heal you while you tell us what happened?"
Seeing the girl shakily nod her head, Wendy made her way to her side.
Rightfully thinking that the wound on her stomach was more pressing than any other potential injury they couldn't see, Wendy place her hands directly over where the shirt was bloodiest.
"Luckily, it doesn't seem to have punctured anything or gone through to the other side", Wendy said as her hands began to glow with a bright, white light. "It is odd though, for how small the stab wound is, there seems to be a lot of blood."
"I shrunk it", the green haired girl said who gained a little bit of color back to her skin.
"What do you mean you shrunk it?", Natsu asked.
"I just started learning how to use magic and I can change the size of things. But I was too weak to shrink it all the way or to…to help my mom", the girl said with tears beginning to run down her face.
Seeing this Wendy quickly brought her into a hug, "It's alright, I'm sure you did just what your mom would have wanted. She wouldn't have wanted you to stay and get hurt even more. Now how about you tell us your name and what happened."
Sniffling, the girl wiped the tears off her face, "My name is Brandish. I was with my mom on our way to see someone when we got attacked by bandits. One of them stabbed me with a knife but I got away when my mom grabbed him off of me. Then she told me to run and hide."
Hearing how Brandish and her mom ha been attacked for no good reason infuriated Natsu. "Those dirty bastards just wait until I get a piece of them", he said gritting his teeth and lighting his fist on fire.
Shocked at seeing that he could also use magic, Brandish quickly said, "Please we need to go back and help my mom. I don't know what they're doing to her."
Making his way to Brandish, Natsu shocked her by quickly picking her up off the ground and carrying her bridal style.
"Don't worry we'll get there as soon as we can. Come on Wendy, let's go."
Nodding at him, Wendy stood up and followed after him as they began to set off at a light jog. Not wanting to potentially reopen Brandish's injury, he held her close to his body so as to not jostle her too much, Natsu started in the direction she had come from.
"Hold on, you don't even know where you're going!", Brandish cried out.
Lifting one of his hands up and tapping his nose, Natsu said," I'm a dragon slayer I can follow the path you took here."
"Dragon slayer?", Brandish murmured.
After a few minutes, Brandish looked p and noticed they were almost to the road where she had been attacked, "We're here, put me down", she cried out to Natsu.
Slowing down to set her down, Natsu barely had any time to react as Brandish quickly took off towards the road.
Shaking his head at her running right back to where she had gotten injured but understanding why, Natsu made his way with Wendy to follow after her.
They came upon a cart tipped over on its side half on the road and half off. Looking past it, they could see two men standing over a woman laying still in the road.
"Not so tough now are you bitch", sneered one of the men.
"What do you say we have a little bit of fun before we finish her off huh Ron?", said the other as he ripped off the unconscious woman's top and roughly grabbed her breasts.
"Make sure I get a turn Harry! I wanna touch her too!"
"Oh? What's this?", the now named Harry said as he reached in between the woman's breasts and pulled out a necklace with a golden key on it.
"Looky here! A gold key, I bet we could sell this and make a fortune!"
"Stop it!", cried out Brandish. "Get your hands off my mother!"
Harry turned to look at Brandish, "Oh look, the little bitch is back, funny I thought you'd be dead by now. No matter, you will be soon after I'm done with you, just like your bitch of a mom", he said standing up and taking out his knife.
"Harry, let me have this one, I think she'll be a lot of fun", Ron said licking his lips.
"You disgust me"
Natsu having heard enough of what the two were planning on doing, decided it was time he stepped in.
"Found yourself a little knight in shining armor, did you?
"No, not a knight…a dragon", Natsu said.
Looking at him, the bandits could feel the killing intent rolling in waves off of him and could swear they saw a red dragon standing behind him.
Not waiting for them to make a move, Natsu jumped into action.
Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!
Smashing his flaming right fist into Harry, who just happened to be closest, a loud crack could be heard as his jaw was shattered.
Harry dropped down to the ground screaming in pain.
"Humans like you disgust me, you're no better than animals", snarled out Natsu.
Seeing what had happened to his friend, Ron realized he didn't stand a chance, even if Natsu was just a kid. He turned to run away as fast as he could.
"Where do you think you're going? This is fun remember?"
Sucking in a quick breath of air, Natsu unleased his roar.
Fire Dragon's Roar!
A large blast of fire shot out and quickly overtook the bandit. Once the fire cleared away, he fell to the ground covered in numerous burns.
Sticking out his hand, Natsu made chains of fire appear dragging Ron over to Harry and quickly wrapped them up preventing them from going anywhere.
Seeing that the fighting was over, Brandish and Wendy ran over to the still form of Brandish's mother.
It was clear to see she was not in good shape. Covered in bleeding gashes and bruises from where she had been stabbed and beaten. It didn't take much more than a glance to realize it would be a miracle if she made it.
"Please, you have to help her! Heal her like you did me!", yelled out Brandish with tears running down her face.
Wendy knelt at the woman's side and began to try to heal her. Hands glowing over her numerous wounds, Wendy shook her head, "She's lost a lot of blood, I …I don't know if I'll be able to save her."
Suddenly, the woman on the ground shifted and grabbed Wendy's hands.
"Save your strength child, you and I both know I'm not long for this world."
"No, mama don't say that, we can make you better", Brandish sniffled as she grabbed her hand.
"Brandi, what have I told you about making promises you can't keep?", her mother asked smiling softly. "You're going to have to be a big girl now. I'm sorry this had to happen, but I'm glad you're alright. I love you my little Brandi"
Hands shaking, she fumbled around her neck and ripped top. "Where is Aquarius' key?"
"Right here ma'am", said Natsu handing it to her, having grabbed it off of the bandits.
"Thank you young man", she said with tears in her eyes. "Brandi, you've seen me summon her before, so you'll know how to as well when you need help. I know she may seem like she doesn't care my child, but she loves you just as much as I do", she finished by putting the key in Brandish's hands.
"Mama, you can't leave me all alone", whispered Brandish.
At that her mother sadly smiled and slowly ran her hand through her daughter's hair as tears dripped down her face. "But you're not alone, you have Aquarius who will be there whenever you need her. It also looks like you have two new friends as well", she said motioning towards Natsu and Wendy.
Not wanting to interrupt, both of them silently nodded their heads in agreement.
"And I'll always be with you here", she said resting her hand on Brandish's heart.
This brought on another wave of tears from Brandish and also Wendy who had begun to cry as the heart wrenching scene unfolded.
Turning towards Natsu, "I know this is a lot to ask of a stranger, but will you look over my Brandi when I'm gone young man?", Brandish's mother asked.
With tears glistening in his own eyes, Natsu nodded, "On my honor as a dragon slayer and as the Fire Dragon Prince, I will be there for her and protect her with my life."
"Thank you." Motioning towards Brandish, "Come here, give me a hug."
Brandish quickly wrapped her arms around her mother as her body was wracked with sobs. After a few more minutes, her mother's body began to still as her eyes grew glossy.
Slowly lowering her mother's body to the ground and looking at the smile on her face, all Brandish could do was stare as the tears poured down her face.
After what seemed an eternity but in reality, a few minutes, Natsu broke the silence.
"What do you want to do with them?", he said pointing towards the two bandits who still bound and gagged with his fiery chains. "Their lives are for you to decide."
Standing up and walking over to them, Brandish looked at them with nothing but loathing and hatred.
"Take from them, what they took from my mother."
Hearing this the bandits started to struggle against their bonds trying to escape their fate.
Making his way over, Natsu just nodded his head.
"With my duty as the Fire Dragon Prince, it is part of my responsibility to help protect those who can't protect themselves. I failed that duty today, but I still can serve justice. May you burn in this life and the next."
Clenching his fist, the chains around the bandits began to constrict their bodies as they were then engulfed in flames. As the flames died out, all that remained was ash.
I know that the characters may seem OC, but this is an AU and I have the lovely power of fan fiction on my side. I tried to keep some cannon characteristics for both Natsu and Wendy but as you can see there are some changes. I think with him being raised to be a prince, Natsu wouldn't be as big of a numbskull, and Wendy being five years or so older wouldn't be as timid, but that shyness will still be there a little bit. With Brandish, if you know her backstory, this is completely AU as she won't be joining the Alvarez empire and will have Aquarius' key not Lucy.